Emergency Road Service In New York And Houston

How do local ordinances governing towing affect my Emergency Road Service (ERS) coverage on my GEICO auto insurance policy?

Some areas of the country have enacted regulations governing towing in certain jurisdictions or on certain highways. These programs are designed to increase safety and reduce congestion associated with disabled vehicles.

Motorists in these areas will not be able to use the emergency road service provider or towing company of their choice. If you require roadside assistance or towing in these areas, you must use authorized towing companies which have contracted with the local authorities. The largest of these programs is in New York but other locations, including Houston, are enacting similar programs. In addition, many other jurisdictions give police the authority to call a contracted towing company if a crash site poses a hazard.

Normally, with your GEICO ERS coverage, you call GEICO and we dispatch a tow truck from within our network. We arrange for payment directly to the towing company. We understand that you may be required by local statutes, or local authorities at the scene, to use a towing company outside the GEICO network. Although you will be required to pay for this towing at the time of service, we will reimburse you subject to the limits of your policy.

Example: In Houston, motorists are charged $75 for the tow, and the first five miles are included. Additional mileage is charged at $1.50 per mile. Therefore, GEICO will pay $75 for the towing plus the number of miles in excess of five to tow your car to the nearest facility that can make the necessary repairs to get your car back on the road.

If you have been towed under these circumstances, you should submit the original copy of the road service bill to GEICO. We will send you a reimbursement check by return mail.

Requests for reimbursement can be emailed to towingrefund@geico.com or faxed to (866) 954-3761.

You may also send your request to:

GEICO
Emergency Road Service
P.O. Box 8075
Macon, GA 31208-8075
ERS billing phone number: (800) 522-7775

Mail in the original and keep a copy for your records. On a separate piece of paper, please include your name, address, phone number, policy number and additional information you would like to submit. (We do not accept faxed bills.)

Not sure whether you are in an area that restricts towing to a city or to state-contracted companies? When you call (800) 42-GEICO to dispatch roadside assistance, we'll let you know.

Don't have emergency road service coverage? Add ERS coverage to your GEICO auto policy.